The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-07-30
A MANIFESTATION.
The Ghost Story Told by Nellie
Messenger.


"Wcll!' said Rosamond Hastings, in
mock despair, rs she stood before
the little crowd of people in her fathers
library, Il never yet had so thankless
task before me. Here are a dozen dis
appointed people waiting to be enter
tanned, as. if any thing could take
the place of tennis by moonlight!
Papa, you had much better have let
them go home when it began to rain,
as Nellie kindly suggested"
Judge Hastings laughed, as he al
ways did when Rosamond scolded,
whether in fun or in earnest "You
may ease your mind of all responsible
ity at once, Rose. This is my party
tonight; did not kindle the fire with
my own handsP Nellie, come triHe
nearer the fire and dry the skirt of your
gown. l am going to make you do the
honors, since Rosamond's plans have
failed, What is the correct amusement
for a damp, chilly evening in Septem-
berP Do you know of any thing suffi-
ciently soothing to calm a disappointed
tennis clubp
The kindly old judge had always
petted Nelly Lake since the days when
she and Rosamond had made mud pies
together; and when his junior law
partner. Ned Massinger, mentioned
that he was gong to marry Little
Nell" the genial old man had answer
ed: There's only one lovelier girl In
the world, Ned, and that's Rosamond;
and you couldn't have her, anyhow.
Mrs. Massinger fully appreciated the
Judges regard, and was quite ready
to throw herself into the breach, and
help him in his present extremity.
81 have just one inspiration, said
the pretty little matron, as she spread
out her white tennis skirts in the glow
of the fire. Lets tell ghost stories.
If this project is not received with ac-
clamation, shall be forced to conclude
that the doings of the spirit-world are
withholden from your commonplace
eyes, and that you don't know a ghost
when you see it.
In spite of this dreadful threat, the
audience still looked uncommunica-
tive.
you'll have to tell your own ghost
story, Nell" said Ned. mo one else
will volunteer Judge Hastings, turn
down the gas, and throw some blue
1ableau fire into the blaze. Nelly is
going to begin"
Yes, Nelly" said the Judge. II
never saw ghost in my life; and am
three times as old as any of the rest of
you; 50 your scheme must fall through
unless you rescue it yourself.
Vat any rate" said Nelly, ''you
needn't get the blue light. My story
is heartrending enough without any
scenic background. 1t happened just
after we were married, and it is just as
much Ned's ghost as mine, if he does
throw it all on me. We were not
haunted very long. In fact, there was
only one manifestation.
II had been out all one afternoon re-
turning our first calls. The air was
raw and chilly, much as it was the
same hour to-day. l was hurrying
home to avoid the evil effects of the
sudden change in the weather, so !
was surprised to see both servants out
on the front steps. Norah, the cook,
was steadying her broad back against
one of the pillars of the porch, while
Ellen had thrown her bingham apron
over her head. and was walking up
and down in evident excitement They
did not see me until was almost to
the steps.
"'What does all this mean?' / de-
mauded. Has the kitchen boiler burst
ed AGAIN.
No, num-, said Ellen. It's worse
nor the boiler. It's the divil up in the
library, a-thumpin' and bangin'
around
'Nonsenser said severely. 1t is
probably window-shade blowing
aga INST the sash.
".But the windys are all down,
mum; I went up meself to see. Sure
you're not a-goin' IMP for had put
my latch-key in the door.
"'Of course / am going in,' re-
piled. If you and Norah are afraid tc
go in at the kitchen door, you may
come in with me and go down the in.
side stairs;' and proceeded to entei
the hall, which was beginning to be Q
trine dark. l went directly into the
library. followed by the girls at re-
spectful distance. Everything seemed
all right. Even the goldfish in the
aquarium by the window swan lazily
around, as If undisturbed by any evil
spirit.
"'Oh. he's quiet enough when any
body's about, said Norah. Didn't
try three times to catch the varmintl
and livery time whan got here he wa
gone. just you come downstairs BIZ
ii you want to hear it.
II followed her down to the kitchen
more for the sake of the fire than t.
escape meeting the personal devil, il
whom had little faith. But. sur'
enough. we were hardly down-stair
when a tremendous humping sent m,
back to the library as fast as coult
60. Every thing was absolutely as i
had been before. Baffied, I returned
below stairs. Norah stood in the doc
triumphant. Didn't | tell youP' sale
she. Its for all the world like tn,
spirits at the see-unces downtown las
winter
Neither Of the girls could be in
-luced to spread the dinner-taelc in tn
dining-room. which adjoined the Il